Don’t Stereotype Me!

BunnyBear by author Andrea J. Loney and illustrator Carmen Saldana

Age Range: 4 – 8 years

Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company

Publication Date: January 31, 2017

Just because he’s a bear doesn’t mean that he likes to roar. Just because she’s a bunny doesn’t mean that she likes to be quiet. Attributes typically given to bears and bunnies are negated by two characters, BunnyBear and GrizzlyBun, in this picture book. Because they choose not to be stereotyped, they are initially ostracized by their communities. Watching strength in numbers increase from one isolated character to several characters who feel similarly sends a positive message that nobody is ever alone in their feelings and is delightful for My Book Eyes to read. The richly colored illustrations are attractive.

Beach? Yes, Pizza? Yes

Lorenzo, the Pizza-Loving Lobster by Claire Lordon

Age Range: 4 – 8 years

Publisher: little bee books

Publication Date: May 3, 2016

For the first time, Lorenzo lobster eats pizza and like most who consume it, savors every bite. Enthusiastically he shares his experience with his friend and wants her to try pizza too but he hasn’t brought any of it with him so he decides to make pizza with her. Sadly Lorenzo can’t recall the ingredients. After much trial and error they give up making pizza. His friend comes across pizza on her own and also finds it irresistible. High contrasting colors in illustrations make details distinguishable. My Book Eyes can feel the sea air and smell the pizza now!